A Christian community artist has secured a legal settlement with London’s Watford Borough Council following a three-year ordeal that began when she was removed from her own exhibition, and reported to the police, for saying that “gender transition” is harmful to children.
Victoria Culf, 46, took legal action against the council after she was effectively “cancelled” from her independently funded exhibition at Watford Museum in June 2023.
The case, which was supported from the outset by the Christian Legal Centre, has now been settled on confidential terms.
As part of the resolution, the Council has committed to working with Mrs. Culf again and reaffirmed its commitment “to the principles of freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and expression”.
“UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH HER CHRISTIAN BELIEFS”
In 2024, Mrs. Culf went public with her legal action, citing breach of contract, discrimination, harassment, misfeasance in public office, negligence, intimidation, defamation, conspiracy, and malicious falsehood.
She argued her treatment amounted to “unlawful interference with her Christian beliefs.”
The dispute arose from a private, and what appeared to be an amicable conversation, with a council employee while Mrs. Culf was setting up her exhibition.
During the exchange, the council official, who was already known to Mrs. Culf, shared that their child was “socially transitioning,” that they had attempted to access puberty blockers, and that the family felt supported by others.
CHRISTIAN POLITELY VOICED HER BELIEF THAT CHILD GENDER TRANSITIONING IS HARMFUL
While making a cup of tea, Mrs. Culf responded politely and sensitively, explaining that because of her Christian beliefs and her experience working with children and young people, she believed that transitioning is harmful.
She also expressed the view that the Tavistock Clinic, since closed, discredited and associated with controversy, should be shut down.
The artists noted that the human brain continues developing until around age 24, meaning that children are “too young to properly assess risk.”
She added: “I wouldn’t be being true to myself if I agreed with you.”
The consequences of expressing those beliefs were severe.
COUNCIL WORKER CALLED HER “TRANSPHOBIC,” COUNCIL BANNED HER
Despite the conversation appearing to conclude on good terms, the Council worker posted on social media, accusing Mrs. Culf of a “transphobic rant.”
This led to the council banning her from access to her own exhibition and informing her that she was under police investigation for a hate crime — claims that were later shown to be false.
Police call logs and records confirmed that the police had immediately concluded that no crime had been committed and that Mrs. Culf’s comments were considered protected free speech.
But the council led the artist to believe that she was still under investigation for a ‘hate crime’ and could be arrested in front of her children at any time
COUNCIL WORKER WAS RECEIVING ADVICE FROM LGBT GROUP
It was later revealed the council worker had been receiving advice from the LGBTQI+ charity Ask for Clive, an organisation that partners with Stonewall and promotes a ‘zero tolerance’ to alleged ‘hate’ and actively encourages hate crime reports to the police.
Under pressure linked to the allegations, Mrs Culf was excluded from a community art project, her artwork was damaged during the exhibition, and she suffered reputational harm and loss of work.
A public statement as part of the settlement of Mrs. Culf’s case said:
Watford Borough Council is pleased to have reached an amicable settlement regarding the legal claims brought by Mrs Culf.
The Council now wishes to make it clear that it has no animosity towards Mrs Culf and would work with her in the future as a community artist.
VICTORIA CULF’S REACTION TO THE SETTLEMENT
Victoria Culf said: “After a very difficult three years, I am pleased finally to draw a line under this unfortunate dispute – which, in a healthier society, should not have happened in the first place.”
“Every child struggling with gender dysphoria deserves compassion, support, and above all protection from being rushed along the dangerous path of ‘transitioning’ towards irreversible medical interventions.”
“The fact that this protection has been denied to so many children, leaving so many young lives in ruins, is one of the gravest wrongs of our time.”
“Although I was cleared by the police within 48 hours, the incident had a significant and lasting negative impact on my business and professional reputation.”
WHAT HER LAWYERS SAID AFTER THE SETTLEMENT
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “Victoria should never have faced exclusion from her own exhibition for expressing facts that puberty blockers are harmful to children.”
“Her case highlights how easily freedom of expression and Christian beliefs can be undermined when public bodies react disproportionately to disagreement on complex and sensitive issues.”
“We hope this outcome encourages public authorities across the country to handle such situations with greater care, ensuring that respect for differing views and the rule of law remain at the heart of public life.”
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